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All eyes on Travis Hunter, but will it result in Jacksonville Jaguars winning opener?
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- All eyes on Travis Hunter, but will it result in Jacksonville Jaguars winning opener?
James Gladstone isn't the only one with the Jacksonville Jaguars who opts for boldness over complicity.
While head coach Liam Coen leads with a confident persona, the concern comes as it does with every new hire: What do they bring to the table that the last guy didn't? Well, as far as the team's general manager is concerned, the apple doesn't fall too far from the proverbial tree.
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"When there's an opportunity to be bold , he don't flinch either," Gladstone quipped during his post-cut-down-day presser in August.
The new Jaguars regime will learn alot when the team hosts the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Aug. 7, at 1 p.m.
The game will be broadcast on FOX.
Coen is being tasked with a great deal. Fixing Trevor Lawrence is the primary objective, with everything hinging on his play. Fixing a franchise that's been through an emotional roller coaster for the better part of a decade since their AFC Championship run in 2017 is the goal.
Perhaps, though, nothing comes with more intrigue and consequence than the franchise's first bold move: attempting the unattempted with a two-way player in Travis Hunter . Now, that's bold.
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Meanwhile, the rookie cornerback/wide receiver isn't flinching, either. A player of few words, Hunter is locked into his simple goal: to help the team win games.
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Travis Hunter experiment starts Sunday vs. Panthers
When the Jaguars traded up to the second-overall pick with the Cleveland Browns to secure Hunter , many around the league speculated what the team would ultimately do with the two-way player out of Colorado.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville quickly addressed those questions almost immediately after selecting him, declaring their intention to use him as advertised: Hunter will play on both sides of the ball as he did for two years at Colorado. How that will ultimately shake out remains a question, though.
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Jacksonville spent the entire offseason and training camp devising and executing a plan they feel gives them the best chance to utilize Hunter in that way.
The rookie split his time between receiver and corner, sometimes making the switch on a series-to-series basis in practice. He did so in a game when the team faced the Pittsburgh Steelers to open the preseason , playing as a starting wideout and backup corner. Though he played just 19 snaps (11 on offense, eight on defense), he showed why he's such a special talent.
RYAN O'HALLORAN: With no excuses, time for Trevor Lawrence to let it rip
Though everyone is concerned with how Jacksonville will deploy him Sunday against Carolina, the rookie doesn't have the same mentality.
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"No expectations. Just go out there and play," Hunter said in the locker room Thursday.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs on the field before an NFL preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers of an NFL preseason matchup at EverBank Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
When asked what he's most looking forward to, Hunter was just as brief and to the point: "Winning."
While Hunter is viewed by many as a unicorn, an otherworldly talent, his mindset isn't as singularly focused. Ultimately, you play to win the game.
"Just excited to get out there and play, really is the main thing, see what we can go out there and do. Hopefully we'll get a win," he said.
Whether Hunter splits his time at receiver and corner remains a question. He's listed as a starting wideout and a backup corner. After working limited the final 10 days of camp and the preseason, perhaps the team takes it easy with him. His role on offense ought to be extensive, though.
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"We're still working through it right now. He obviously missed a lot of time there that can impact playing anybody, nonetheless, a rookie that misses quite a bit of time, so what that usage looks like we're still working through," Coen said to open the week.
RYAN O'HALLORAN: Calm, confident Liam Coen prepared for Jaguars' debut
Jaguars vs. Panthers prediction
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Lonnie Marts (56) beat Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Chris Terry (70) to stuff Panther running back William Floyd (40) on a first-quarter rush in an NFL game on Sept. 19, 1999. [Rick Wilson/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars will face a tough challenge in Week 1, perhaps only because they are so new. The team has a brand-new head coach and coaching staff in addition to multiple new players on both sides of the ball. It stands to reason that the team could struggle early. Still, the Jaguars have a chance to exploit Carolina's defense on the ground, while their playmakers matchup favorably outside of that.
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Jacksonville's defense ought to be at an advantage, too, with Panthers quarterback Bryce Young still having a lot to prove after ending his second season on a high note, while recently losing his most capable receiver in Adam Thielan. The Jaguars should be able to pull this one out and give Coen a good start to a new era of Jaguars football.
Jaguars vs. Panthers scouting report
Why Jacksonville has an advantage: The Jaguars have the ultimate element of surprise. The team is largely new when you look at its pass-catchers, and they will field a rebuilt offensive line that ought to give Trevor Lawrence more time to get the ball downfield to his wideouts. Coen's modern-offensive mind also ought to give Jacksonville a much better showing than they did in Week 1 last year. Also, a defense that ranked 32nd in 2024 ought to be improved.
Why Carolina has an advantage:Carolina upgraded personnel on their defense, particularly on the defensive line, by signing Tershawn Wharton in free agency and drafting former Florida lineman Cam Jackson . The league's worst run defense should be improved. Carolina also could have an advantage with their receivers, including first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan . While Jacksonville upgraded its secondary by signing Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray , questions remain as to how improved the unit will be.
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Jaguars vs. Panthers score prediction
The Jaguars should be further in their build than the Panthers, even with a new staff and a slew of new players.
Jaguars 24, Panthers 10.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter experiment starts: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Panthers pick
